Funding supports purchase of monitors for parents to see their babies in intensive care unit

Parents and extended family can now remotely view their critically ill premature baby in the hospital thanks to a 24/7 video streaming system. The technology, purchased with support from The Antioch Foundation, was installed in UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in late March.

“On-demand video streaming has been shown to help reduce the distress and anxiety parents can feel after being separated from a newborn,” said Laura Hall, director of nursing for Women and Children’s Services. “The visual stimulus supports the bonding process and has the potential to assist with milk flow during breast milk expression while mother and baby are separated.”

The video stream will help families feel more involved in the process of giving their hospitalized infant the best start in life. Additionally, parents and family members can watch and learn their newborn’s routines in the NICU, helping smooth the transition to life at home.

Childbirth is an emotional event for parents and families, especially when a newborn’s first few days, weeks, or even months are spent in the NICU. We are grateful for philanthropic support that helps families during such a critical period in their lives.